Amid National Mental Health Crisis, U.S. Reps. Trone and Riggleman Introduce Tele-Mental Health Legislation to Expand Access to Behavioral Health Care Services
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Trone.Press@mail.house.gov
Amid National Mental Health Crisis, U.S. Reps. Trone and Riggleman Introduce Tele-Mental Health Legislation to Expand Access to Behavioral Health Care Services
WASHINGTON –Today, U.S. Representatives David Trone (D-MD) and Denver Riggleman (R-VA) announced they introduced the bipartisan Tele-Mental Health Improvement Act to expand access to mental health care and substance use treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Tele-Mental Health Improvement Act would require health insurance companies and health care plans to cover tele-behavioral health care services the same as those services provided in-person.
This legislation comes as 41% of American adults reported experiencing at least one mental or behavioral health condition during the COVID-19 pandemic, and as overdoses are up roughly 18% across the country.
“Over the past few months, we’ve seen how the COVID-19 pandemic has made the mental health crisis in our country even worse,” said Congressman David Trone. “We need to act swiftly to get resources and care in the hands of those who are struggling. The Tele-Mental Health Improvement Act will make sure that everyone has access to the high-quality, affordable treatment they need and deserve during this unprecedented time. I’d like to thank Congressman Riggleman for working with me on this pressing issue that impacts each and every community across America.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has stretched health services to the limit. It has laid bare the need to find creative and effective solutions to challenges in the healthcare field,” said Congressman Riggleman. “I am proud to join Rep. Trone in introducing the Tele-Mental Health Improvement Act, which will ensure everyone experiencing a mental or behavioral health condition has access to the treatments they need.”
You can read a one-pager about the bill here.
To read bill text, click here.
Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Education and Labor, Foreign Affairs, and Joint Economic Committees, where he is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders, including the opioid epidemic, criminal justice reform, and funding for medical research.
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